Gang Green Nation
The first half of the New York Jets season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers is in the books, and the Jets are leading the Steelers, 19 – 17.
The game opened with the Jets on offense. They ran, ran and ran some more, getting inside the Steelers’ 20 yard line before settling for a short field goal and an early 3 – 0 lead.
The Jets defense started off with a bang, sacking Aaron Rodgers on the Steelers’ first play on offense. After that, it wasn’t so good. Rodgers led the Steelers on an opening drive for a touchdown as the Steelers took a 7 – 3 lead with less than four minutes left in a fast moving first quarter.
The Jets came right back with a quick drive culminating in a Justin Fields 33 yard touchdown pass to Garrett Wilson. The two point conversion attempt failed, and the Jets had a 9 – 7 lead as the first quarter came to an end.
The Steelers came right back with a big play by D.K. Metcalf on a drive that stalled inside the Jets’ 40 yard line. The Steelers settled for a long field goal and a 10 – 9 lead.
The Jets then put together a long scoring drive highlighted by a great Breece Hall catch and run for a big gain. A few plays later Braelon Allen took the ball in the end zone from 8 yards out and the Jets took a 16 – 10 lead. In a surprising twist to what was expected to be a defensive struggle, neither defense was able to keep the opposing offense from scoring in the first five drives of the game.
Halfway through the second quarter the Jets defense finally got a stop as Will McDonald sacked Aaron Rodgers on third down.
The Jets then put together yet another scoring drive, their fourth straight to open the game. Nick Folk nailed a 51 yard field goal and the Jets took a 19 – 10 lead with less than three minutes remaining in the first half.
The Steelers took over and put together a long drive ending in a three yard touchdown pass to Jonnu Smith. With less than 35 seconds remaining in the half it was Jets 19, Steelers 17.
The Jets took over and couldn’t get anything going to close out the half. It was the first Jets drive of the day that didn’t end in points.
We go into the second half with the Jets leading the Steelers 19 – 17 in a surprising first half shootout.
Leave your comments for the second half below.
